Macadamia Nut Madness

July 8, 2012 By Alana Folen Photos By Leah Friel

What do you get when you combine an irresistibly creamy, rich taste with a captivating crunch? None other than the world’s finest macadamia nut! Sure, these nuts are loaded with fat, but they are heaven sent. And you really can’t complain when countless studies have shown that a diet rich in macadamia nuts reduces total cholesterol, including LDL-cholesterol. It’s doctor-approved!

And just so you know, I’m crazy about mac nuts! In fact, I currently have a handful of Hawaiian Host Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut candy sitting at the bottom of my purse. And while nothing can beat the combination of savory chocolate and mac nuts, this week I had to expand my horizons and take on a taste for other magnificent macadamia nut creations.

Believe me, they weren’t hard to find. The following Ono, You Know establishments make my job easy, as they spoiled me silly with the most onolicious macadamia nut creations. So, what are you waiting for? Join me in macadamia nut madness!

Shor American Seafood Grill

Keeping it local, Shor American Seafood Grill puts great emphasis on not only flavor, but sustainability. Nestled in Hyatt Regency Waikiki, this American classic restaurant features the best in fresh seafood and irresistible meats, always sourced from sustainable and local vendors.

Germany native Sven Ullrich serves as executive chef at Shor, which features picture-perfect views of Waikiki Beach.

Knowing I was manic for macadamia nuts, Chef prepared a delectable salad and entree showcasing this beloved nut. First came Shor’s very own Arugula Salad ($12), prepared with local arugula and baby bell peppers from ‘Nalo Farms, carrots, locally grown tomatoes and fresh pear dressed with a zesty mango vinaigrette, and topped with crumbled bleu cheese and roasted macadamia nuts, of course.

“This is a very fresh salad and macadamia nuts are just ideal for it,” Ullrich says. “Nothing has the perfect crunch like a macadamia nut has. It gives a really cool experience in your mouth — nothing beats a macadamia nut!”

According to Ullrich, fresh macadamia nuts are brought in from the Big Island once a week, which is wonderful considering Mongchong Fish and Kauai Shrimp ($38) requires an essence of macadamia nuts to give it that pizzazz. This dinner entree consists of monchong and Kauai shrimp nestled on a bed of rice pilaf, served with a light lemon beurre blanc and macadamia nut pesto sauce.

“Traditional Italian pesto is done with pine nuts, but we twisted it up some and prepared ours with macadamia nuts instead,” he explains. “The mac nuts are slightly roasted with some oil and seasoned with a bit of salt. It goes amazingly well with fish — it’s sweeter and has more crunch!”

: The editor is all smiles as she digs into Shor’s Mongchong Fish and Kauai Shrimp ($38)

: Shor’s Arugula Salad ($12)

: Shor’s Monchong Fish and Kauai Shrimp ($38)

Shor American Seafood Grill
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach
Resort and Spa Diamond Head Tower, Third Floor
2424 Kalakaua Ave.
237.6145

Eggs ‘n Things

The name says it all. Here at Eggs ‘n Things, you can expect much more than just eggs. Breakfast fanatics know that Eggs ‘n Things is ono at any time of the day or night, and are fully aware of the exorbitant selection of impeccable options that the restaurant has to choose from.

Located in Waikiki on Saratoga Road and with a second Eggspress location on Kalakaua Avenue, this highly coveted eatery is always bustling with visitors from across the globe, as well as many local patrons who keep coming back for more.

I’ve been a fan of Eggs ‘n Things for a while now, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, they do! The grinds here are always ridiculously onolicious, but you haven’t seen nothing until you’ve set your taste buds on Eggs ‘n Things Mac Nut Lovers Pancakes ($12.95) You’ll savor the taste of macadamia nuts with each and every bite, as this perfect pancake creation is a macadamia nut fanatic’s dream come true.

“This dish isn’t always on the menu, but we’ll be running it as a special July 14 and 15,” says general manager Edwin Ohta.

Mac Nut Lovers Paradise features macadamia buttermilk pancakes topped with a homemade macadamia nut whipped cream and then sprinkled with a generous amount of … you guessed it … more macadamia nuts!

“It’s an overkill of mac nuts, but people love it,” Ohta says with a laugh. “You have macadamia nuts in your pancakes, on top of your pancakes and in the whipped cream. We use 100 percent macadamia nut paste to combine with the whipped cream.

“Mac Nut Lovers Pancakes is unique to us here at Eggs ‘n Things,” he adds, attributing the creation of this dish to general manager Michael Skedeleski. “He envisions what will go well together.”

Well, after the first bite it’s a fact that pancakes, homemade whipped cream and a mound of macadamia nuts are a match made in heaven. Seriously, these have got to be my favorite pancakes ever! And the whipped cream? Don’t even get me started on that. I could eat mountains of it solely on my own!

: Eggs ‘n Things flagship location is on Saratoga Road in Waikiki.

: Eggs ‘n Things’ Macadamia Nut Lovers Pancakes ($12.95)

Eggs ‘n Things
343 Saratoga Road
923.3447

3660 on the Rise

Raising the bar on Pacific Fusion cuisine is 3660 on the Rise. Located at 3660 Waialae Ave. on the corner of Waialae and Wilhelmina Rise, the restaurant opened its doors in September 1992 by partners chef Russell Siu and Gale Ogawa. Since then, this award-winning restaurant continues to stand in a league all its own, thanks to its superlative edible masterpieces and divine customer service.

3660 on the Rise serves dinner nightly Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays, and diners find the restaurant’s signature dish, Ahi Katsu to be exemplary. New York Steak Alaea also is a top pick, but since it’s all about the magnificent macadamia nut this week, it’s time to shine the spotlight on 3660’s own Roast Rack of Macadamia Nut Crusted Lamb.

Priced at $36, this flawless dish features a superb rack of lamb grilled to perfection, and crusted with a blend of Dijon mustard, panko and macadamia nuts. It’s accompanied by a Cabernet Mint Sauce that is made in house, and served with a side of mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.

“Roast Rack of Macadamia Nut Crusted Lamb is one of our most popular dishes and has been on the menu for a long time,” says 3660 banquet chef Tony Laihipp.

“It has a really, really nice subtle flavor. The macadamia nuts give the lamb a nice sweetness and the crust adds a nice crunch as well.”

And if there’s a special occasion approaching, 3660 on the Rise has four private dining rooms accommodating groups from 20 to 200 people. Special banquet menus also are available for private parties, offering the same outstanding cuisine.